Man killed, shot in head near deli in Washington Heights
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, Manhattan (WABC) -- A search is underway for a gunman in a grey vehicle who shot and killed a man Tuesday night in Washington Heights.
The shooting happened in front of the Chop Cheese Deli on Broadway and West 162nd Street.
Police say the gunman fled on Broadway in a grey vehicle after opening fire and shooting the victim once in the head as he came running out of the deli.
Neighbors told Eyewitness News reporter Sonia Rincon that they recognized the victim as someone who worked at the deli. It's not clear if he was the intended target, and if he wasn't, it's all the more frightening for the those who scattered when they heard the shots.
Neighbor Elizabeth Diaz had been playing dominos nearby and heard the crackle of gunfire just after 7 p.m.
"It could have been anyone. It could have been a lot of people," Diaz said. "We stopped we ducked and then we walked over here, and he was laying on the ground."
Neighbor Irene Diaz, who lives right above the store, says she heard the shots, then screams of panic. Other neighbors say the victim's adult son was yelling for help.
What looked like a bullet hole was left in the store's front door and shell casings littered the busy part of Broadway.
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The victim was taken to Metropolitan Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Neighbors also say it's the second time someone has been shot in senseless gun violence at this intersection in the last year.
"It's a known area, that's why it gets hot sometimes," neighbor Ozzy Orengo said.
"I was raised on this block and I'm 52, so it's really said to see this kind of stuff going on," Diaz said.
Police still have not have not released the victim's identity as they continue to try to identify the shooter and a motive.
They are looking at video and are still collecting evidence.
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